This is a Brand New, factory sealed Blu Ray set of the controversial D.W. Griffith classic THE BIRTH OF A NATION. It's the original three disc Blu Ray set released by Kino Lorber and comes in its original case as shown, still factor sealed.
Almost a century after its release, The Birth of a Nation
remains one of the most controversial films ever made... a landmark
achievement of filmmaking that undeniably demonstrates the deep roots of
America's racist history. The film tells the epic story of two
families, one Northern and one Southern, during and after the Civil War.
D.W. Griffith’s masterful direction combines brilliant battle scenes
and tender romance with a viciously bigoted portrayal of African
Americans. Upon its release, it was the biggest feature-length
blockbuster yet to be produced in the United States, and the first to be
shown in the White House. After seeing the film, President Woodrow
Wilson, who was known for being extremely racist even by the standards
of his time, declared it was "like writing history with lightning!" In
cities and states across the country, the film energized the National
Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), which fought
to have the film banned, or at least the most gruesome scenes censored.
The film also inspired African Americans to move into filmmaking as a
way to offer alternative images and stories.
This film contains racism and/or the mistreatment of people or
cultures. Such depictions, in any era, are inexcusable. The film is
being presented in its original form to bear witness to the history of
racism in cinema, and to encourage a dialogue about how a future cinema
can become more inclusive.
Product Extras :
DISC 1 - Blu-ray
- The Birth of a Nation, newly mastered in HD from archival 35mm elements
- Music by the Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra (2011), in 2.0 Stereo and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
- Spoken introductions by D.W. Griffith and Walter Huston (including the newly rediscovered intermission sequence)
- DISC 2 (DVD)
- The Birth of a Nation, restored by David Shepard of Film Preservation Associates in 1993
- Orchestral score adapted in 1993 from the original score by Joseph Carl Breil, in 2.0 Stereo
- “The Making of The Birth of a Nation” (24 min.) Produced by David Shepard; Compiled and written by Russell Merritt
DISC 3 (DVD)
- Civil War shorts directed by D.W. Griffith: (Music by Jon C. Mirsalis unless indicated)
· In the Border States (1910, 16 min.)
· The House With Closed Shutters (1910, 17 min.)
· The Fugitive (1910, 17 min.)
· His Trust (1910, 14 min.)
Courtesy of David Shepard; Musical setting compiled and arranged by Robert Israel; Performed by the Biograph Quartet
· His Trust Fulfilled (1910, 11 min.)
· Swords and Hearts (1911, 16 min.)
· The Battle (1911, 17 min.)
- “New York vs. The Birth of a Nation”, Archival documents pertaining to the censorship battles over the film’s 1922 re-release
- Excerpts of souvenir program books